Half Price Books — Local services in Houston

This store is conveniently located in a shopping center with Petco, Whole Foods, Target, Taco Cabana and other retailers. I am not a big reader, but I heard HPB buys books, records, magazines, and other types of media. While cleaning out a relative’s home, I decided to pack some books in boxes and take them to HPB to see if they might have any value. I originally opted to donate them at my local library. Unfortunately, most libraries do not have the space to house much outside of what they already have in stock. I made an appointment with HPB and took all the boxes, 9 (NINE) to be exact, no exaggeration. After I unloaded the boxes, they ask you to remain in the store until your offer is ready. All the items I took in for review were dated from the late 40’s through 2010. I took in records, old magazines and a lot of books (A LOT!). My appointment started at 5:30 pm. at 7:14 PM, I was called over the PA system to review my offer. I was afraid some items wouldn’t “make the cut” and I would have to load them back into my car and once again be on the search of where to put them next. The lady who was assisting me said they would be glad to take it all and donate or recycle what couldn’t be used. That sounded fair and convenient, so I was pleased. Then came the offer… $62.90 for all the items. I wasn’t expecting thousands, nor did I have any special attachment to these items, but $62.90?? I don’t claim to know much about what was being sold, but I do know some of the items were worth more than my offer. In hindsight, I should have taken small loads in at a time or maybe even better, I should have found a dealer who specializes in older media. Bottom line, I was tired of waiting, and I just wanted to be done with it. I’m disappointed, not because I needed the money or wasn’t willing to part ways with the items; it’s more of the effort and time I took to only get $62.90 for everything. I think it was a rip off. Side note: as I waited for my offer, I looked around the store. They had an old Teen Beat type magazine with the Beatles on the cover. The one displayed was in the same shape as the two I was selling, but mine were 2 years older; older meaning worth more, I would think. Theirs was selling for $30.00. I wouldn’t expect to get $30.00 for mine (I understand they have to make a profit), but you would think my total would be higher with those 2 valuable items. In the mix of all my other items was records from artists like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. If the books were worth much, I would think the records would be. I wish they would have a system to break it down and show you what each piece was worth. Oh well… lesson learned. I will never waste my time like that again. After you accept an offer, they print a receipt for you to take to the front to cash or trade it in for merchandise in the store. The store itself is clean, the staff are all friendly, and they have a large selection. They will also order books for you from their other HPB stores within the metroplex and have them sent to your local HPB at no charge. If you decide you don’t like the book after it arrives in the store, you don’t have to pay for it. All in all, I most likely won’t return. I would be a peeved if I strolled through the store and saw some of the items I sold. They were older and rare, so I know I would recognize them instantly. I hope this review helps others. If you have the time, check out other resources. It might be more beneficial. (p.s. I write lengthy reviews no matter if it’s 2...

I have always buy and sell at Half Price Books, Westheimer and Kirkwood location. Service has been good till today when I was discriminated against for the first time in my life. It was around 7:50 PM; I walked in the store along with other customers. The minute I grabbed a book to view the contents, the Manager asked me to make it to the front they will be closing in a minute. I took the book to the front and still continue going through the contents since there were still more customers looking through the shelfs. She walked up to me again and asked me specifically for the third time, to exit the store, eventhough there were more than 6 people still in the store going through books and checking out. I asked her if I was the only customer left in the store or was my presence bothering her in any way. She said you must leave now or I am calling the police. I turned and looked at everyone, only then did I realized that I was the only one with my skin color. I now got to understand why she was only asking me to exit the store at once. I don't know what else can describe this manager's attitude towards me than simply "Racism." I didn't get her name, but you can roll back your cameras and see exactly what happened and whom I am talking about. I felt...

Clean store, well organized, very knowledgeable employees. They also purchase old unused book you have at your house but if you have the time I would try to sell myself on ebay or amazon, just simply a lot of scalpers go to these stores for old text books that they have on clearance and get more money out of you, so i always recommend that if you have the time and patience. They also have a kids club where they do except donations for local kids groups to get them to read more go looking out. " But please never put a book in the trash, either donate it or sell it to them, that is such a waste of resources" they do also now take in games, funko pops, dvd's, cd's, records, and much much more and if you have the time to look through everything go for it you will probably find something that catches your eyes, plus they have several locations and they can look it up on their system to tell you what store has it and they will call and have it held for you. Be nice to the staff they will help you, but these places are like diamonds in the rough especially if you are on a budget and need some textbooks or regular books like UST requests for their classes...